hello ladies..i got results back from the endo dr i saw last week. my thyroid is perfect my cortisol random test was 12.5(dont evn know what that test is)but my potassium is low and so is my white blood count. i cant take potassium or eat things with potassium because of my interstitial cystitis (bladder condition). it makes the condition worse.i have classic symtoms of low potassium heart skipping,fatigue etc. but how do i get potassium in me if i cant take potassium>.any one with ic that reads this please help me out here. low potassium can be fatal if not replenished(read it on the internet)i still have no regular diet and because of the ic. i did start my dmso treatments july 1st. it was wicked but i havent seen any improvement yet. the dr said it will take a few treatments to see results. i go back to him for the next 6 weeks every tuesday until i am done with them and then i will give the treatments to myself by way of catherater..any catherater women out there that has had the experience of catheritizing themselves would be of great help here. i am nervous about doing this in fear of puncturing my bladder.but i need some input on the wbc and potassium issues..thanks ladies as always..chris

Wow, Chris, what does your doc suggest you do to get your potassium levels up? I normally run a low potassium(have no idea why) and take supplements and try and eat baked potatoes, bananas and oj as much as possible. I was told a low potassium level is still better than a high one. I wish I could help hun but your doc is the best way to go here. As for self cath, alot of ladies have done it so I hope one will be along soon to answer your questions. I am still praying for you and I hope you get some relief from your IC with these treatments real soon. Hang in there!!!!!

Chris,
I learned the hard way what low postassium can do. When I was sick a few months ago I had these unusual tremors. They eventually passed when I got better. Than I got sick again and the uncontrollable shaking started again. It so happened I had some tests scheduled for that day and dh had to take me as I was shaking so bad there was no way I could drive. One of the nurses who was doing the tests suggested that maybe I was low on potassium. On the way home dh stopped and got me some bananas and I ate two of them and the shaking stopped! Bananas are a on my special diet, but I figure I'd rather chance my tummy swelling than have to deal with that uncontrollable shaking. Initially I was eating bananas every day until I felt things coming under control. Now I don't eat bananas every day, but I do try to eat them at least every other day or when I feel the shaking starting up again.

You really need to talk with your doctor about what you are going to do about the low potassium. Actually I'm kind of shocked that the doctor didn't suggest anything.

Hang in there Chris. I think little by little you are getting some clues as to what is going on.